If you want to make your character stronger in Shigaku, workouts are one of the main ways you can improve your stats. The game gives you several workout minigames, and each one focuses on a different stat, so knowing what each exercise does can help you train your character properly.
In this post, we will tell you everything you need to know about workouts in Shigaku, including the Treadmill, Dumbbell, Bench Press, and Deadlift. Each exercise has its own minigame, so you will need to learn how each one works if you want to get the most out of your training.
You also cannot jump straight into every workout when you start. Your character begins with a low Lift Capacity, meaning you won’t be able to handle heavier weights. You will first need to train on the Treadmill and gradually increase your Lift Capacity before you can take on the other exercises.
Shigaku Workouts Guide – Lift Capacity Levels, Minigame
There are currently four workouts available in Shigaku:
- Treadmill – Increases Stamina
- Dumbbell – Increases Strength
- Bench Press – Increases Health
- Deadlift – Increases Health
Each workout has its own minigame that you need to complete while exercising. As you progress, you will also be able to handle higher difficulties and heavier weights.
How Lift Capacity Works
Lift Capacity determines how much weight your character is capable of lifting. This affects which workouts and difficulties you can perform.
When you first start playing, your character is too weak to pick up most weights. Because of this, you need to spend some time training before you can move on to heavier exercises.
Your Lift Capacity increases gradually based on the amount of time you spend working out.
Lift Capacity Levels
| Muscle Level | Duration | Lift Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Untrained | 0 Hours | 45 LB |
| Minimal | 0.5 Hours | 75 LB |
| Acceptable | 1 Hour | 120 LB |
| Dedicated | 6 Hours | 175 LB |
| Relentless | 12 Hours | 245 LB |
One useful thing to know is that you don’t have to separately train your Lift Capacity for every exercise. Your Lift Capacity increases for all exercises simultaneously.
You can check your current Lift Capacity in the upper-right corner whenever you open a workout.
Treadmill
The Treadmill is where you should start your workout journey in Shigaku. It increases your Stamina, and it is also the only exercise available to you when your character is too weak to lift weights.
As you spend time training, your Lift Capacity will gradually increase, allowing you to move on to the other workouts.
Treadmill Minigame
The Treadmill minigame requires you to alternate between your left and right inputs.
You need to press one key per stride, switching between the two sides. If you press the same foot twice in a row, your character will tumble.
You can also increase the treadmill’s speed. A faster setting allows you to train more quickly, but you will have less time to react to the inputs.
So when you’re starting out, it can be useful to focus on getting the rhythm right before pushing the speed higher.
Dumbbell
The Dumbbell workout increases your Strength.
Unlike the Treadmill, this exercise requires your character to have enough Lift Capacity to handle the weight. As your Lift Capacity increases, you will be able to work with more difficult dumbbell levels.
Dumbbell Minigame
During the Dumbbell minigame, you need to tap to curl the weight while keeping your pace inside the marked band.
You don’t want to go too fast or too slow.
- Going too fast causes you to swing the weight.
- Going too slow means you are loafing.
- Moving outside the marked area causes your form to suffer.
Try to keep your pace within the highlighted band and adjust your timing whenever you start drifting toward either edge.
Bench Press
The Bench Press is another workout that increases your Health.
Like the Dumbbell workout, you will need enough Lift Capacity to handle the weight. Higher difficulties allow you to train with heavier weights as your character becomes stronger.
Bench Press Minigame
During the Bench Press minigame, the bar will gradually drift to one side as you press.
Your job is to watch which direction the bar is leaning and tap the key on the side it is moving away from to bring it back into balance.
You need to keep the bar level while completing your reps.
If you allow the bar to reach either edge, you will fail the workout and set the weights down.
Deadlift
The Deadlift is the fourth workout currently available in Shigaku. Like the Bench Press, it increases your Health.
The Deadlift has its own timing-based minigame where you need to react to your hands losing their grip.
Deadlift Minigame
During the Deadlift minigame, both of your hands can start slipping.
When one hand turns red, wait for that moment and then press its corresponding key to re-grip.
Timing is important here. If you try to grab too early, you can temporarily lose that hand.
You also shouldn’t simply spam the keys. Hammering the keys at the wrong time can actually make you drop the bar faster than if you did nothing.
Watch the hands carefully and react only when the correct one turns red.
How to Start Training in Shigaku
When you first create your character, don’t worry if you can’t immediately use the Dumbbell, Bench Press, or Deadlift.
Your starting Lift Capacity is only 45 LB, and your character needs to build up their ability to handle heavier weights.
Start by using the Treadmill and spend time training. As your Lift Capacity increases, more workout options and higher difficulties become available.
Your Lift Capacity progresses through several stages:
45 LB → 75 LB → 120 LB → 175 LB → 245 LB
Because Lift Capacity increases for all workouts at the same time, you don’t need to repeat the same progression separately for each exercise.
Shigaku Workout Stats
Each workout has a specific purpose, so you can choose your exercise based on the stat you want to improve.
| Workout | Stat Increased | Main Mechanic |
|---|---|---|
| Treadmill | Stamina | Alternate left and right with each stride |
| Dumbbell | Strength | Keep your curling pace inside the marked band |
| Bench Press | Health | Balance the drifting bar |
| Deadlift | Health | Re-grip when a hand turns red |
Workouts are an important part of building your character in Shigaku. When you first start, the Treadmill is your main option because your character isn’t strong enough to handle heavier weights yet.
Keep training to increase your Lift Capacity, and you will eventually be able to use the Dumbbell, Bench Press, and Deadlift at higher difficulties. Just remember that each minigame works differently, so learning the timing and controls is just as important as increasing your Lift Capacity.